Self-reflection ahead of the new year

The month of Elul is a time dedicated to preparation for the approaching new year. We spend this month in self-reflection. We consider our actions in the past year and think about what changes or improvements we might make in the coming year.

Many see this time as an opportunity to reflect on our relationship with G-d, and this is certainly an important factor. However, our Sages instruct that a prerequisite to “making ourselves right” with G-d is resolving, to the extent possible, any disputes and tension with our fellows. Before asking for G-d’s grace, we show ourselves capable of showing that grace to those around us. Included in this process is meeting the financial obligations we’ve incurred throughout the year.

In this week’s Torah portion the Torah tells us, “You must not withhold the wages of a poor or destitute employee . . . you must give him his wage on his (promised) day.” While the parameters of this mitzvah can be complex, and depend on many situation-specific factors, in a general sense it requires that we pay our employees or contractors as agreed. This payment must be made soon after the work or contract is completed.

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In fulfilling G-d’s commandments, we are in some ways considered G-d’s “employees” and the reward G-d gives is the “payment” we receive. Yet all too often it seems that reward is delayed, whether to the after-life or even until the Messianic era. Commentaries wonder, how is this consistent with the teaching that G-d adheres to the commandments which He gave to us? Is G-d unduly delaying the “payment” we are due?

By exploring this question, we will gain a deeper understanding of the nature of our mission as G-d’s chosen people and the powerful impact of our efforts in the service of G-d.

The task we have been “contracted” to complete is nothing less than the transformation of the world into one that reflects and reveals the Divine presence in all of reality. This is certainly not an individual task or one that can be completed in one lifetime. It is a mission that requires the unique and individual contribution of each and every one of us, across generations. Each mitzvah we do builds on the efforts of all of those who came before us and combines with the mitzvahs of all of our fellow Jews today.

We will experience the ultimate reward for this task upon its completion, with the onset of the Messianic era. This is consistent with the requirement that a contractor be paid at the completion of the job. In the meantime, we are certain that G-d will provide us with health, prosperity and protection from harm, thereby enabling us to focus on accomplishing the mission we have been given (Maimonides, Teshuva 9:1).

This perspective gives deeper appreciation for the significance of our efforts. When we recognize that we are not alone in this task, we will not feel lonely or overwhelmed by the vastness of the undertaking. When we reflect on how far we as a people have come, we will not question our ability to make a difference. When we see ourselves as part of a mission that is greater than just ourselves, we achieve a self-transcendence that can help overcome the stresses of our reality.

We do our part and are certain that, like a small child on the shoulders of the generations of giants who preceded us, it will be our mitzvah which will finally tip the scale, and bring about the coming of Moshiach, even before the end of this year. PJC

Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld is the rabbi at the Lubavitch Center and the executive director of Chabad Lubavitch of Western Pennsylvania. This column is a service of the Vaad Harabonim of Greater Pittsburgh.